Marcus Stewart, still reeling from his second relegation in the space of 12 months, is confident Sunderland's cash crisis will not hinder the club's push for an immediate Premiership return.

The Black Cats striker is one of three players at the Stadium of Light to have suffered the top-flight drop in successive seasons, with Matty Piper and Mart Poom also able to make that unwelcome boast.

Stewart, whose dismissal at Birmingham on Saturday will cost him the chance to start his first Wear-Tyne derby on April 26, has kept a close eye on the fortunes of former club Ipswich following their return to the First Division last year.

And the 30-year-old believes that the Tractor Boys have proved that a shortage of funds is no bar to Nationwide League success, with Joe Royle's side pressing hard for the play-offs, despite having fallen into administration.

"Ipswich have sold a lot of players and haven't spent a lot of money but they are up there pushing for promotion," said Stewart, who has apologised for the rash tackle on Stern John at St Andrew's which made him the first Sunderland player to see red this term.

"The gaffer has already come out and said that you don't necessarily need a lot of money.

"It is organisation more than cash you need in the First Division.

"The key is to adapt quickly. Ipswich started the season slowly and it has cost them. They are playing well now and scoring a lot of goals and, if they had started better, they would be right up there pushing for an automatic place.

"That is what we need to do, we need to start well.

"If we do that it will stand us in good stead and hopefully we will be able to go on and push hard like Leicester have done this season."

Although Leicester and Ipswich have both coped well with relegation on the pitch, both have suffered financial problems as they have struggled to deal with the loss of revenue which comes with the loss of top-flight status.

For Stewart, whose seven Premiership starts for Sunderland have all ended in defeat, next season can't come soon enough.

A three-match ban will rule him out of the games against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Arsenal.

"The suspension is frustrating," said a player who is keen to stay and help the club bounce back next season.

"I am going to miss the Newcastle game, which would have been nice to have played in.

"I am hoping to play in the next couple of games and, if I can do that and score a couple of goals, maybe I can finish the season on a high on a personal note.

"If not, I will just have to get on with it and look forward to next season.

"I have apologised for the red card on Saturday. I lost my head and I know that I shouldn't have done it.

"But I don't like people to gloat and, had I done what he (John) did, I would expect to be kicked."

Although his first-team chances were limited under Howard Wilkinson, Stewart has a great admirer in Mick McCarthy and is set for a key role in Sunderland's promotion challenge.

A player who retains faith in his own ability is hoping for a successful season next time out. He knows that, after two relegation campaigns, things can only get better.

"It has been pretty awful the last couple of days," he added.

"You are down but you come into training and have to try to be upbeat. A lot of people say it hasn't sunk in yet but it has for me. I think everyone wants to get this season over and done now and start again next year from scratch.

"It's the second year running that I have been relegated and that is not a good feeling. Nobody wants this on their CV."